Past Pages Oct. 31

130 YEARS AGO

Air walker: The Enterprise has a description of a curious animal occasionally appearing in Virginia City. "It appears," says the Enterprise, "to be some kind of flying reptile ... body shaped like that of a crab, about 16 inches in breadth. From this strange body, four legs hang down about two feet in length and thick as a walking stick - no wings are seen; however, the creature sails through the air and appears to move without the slightest exertion." It was first observed as it passes regularly every morning about 8 o'clock and flies over the town at the height of the International Hotel. The creature is not a nondescript but a creature occasionally seen in the Sierras and high latitudes and is called an "air walker" by the wood choppers. This was once seen flying over Fallen Leaf Lake and killed with a shot gun. Its wings were so transparent that when they were in motion not discernible when high above the spectator. The specimen, what was left, was placed in a jar of alcohol and can be seen at Yank's station. (Territorial Enterprise)

120 YEARS AGO

Twelve spooks will sneak about and yank the front gates into the middle of next week. Small boys will cooperate with them and the property owners will do well to chain down their effects.

70 YEARS AGO

Admission Day Program, Oct. 31, 1940, 10 a.m. Nevada Day Parade, carrying out "National Defense" theme; 12:30 p.m. Jackass derby, from V&T Station to the Pozzi Garage; 1:30 pm. Whiskerino contest elimination; Old timers' program, civil auditorium; open house Mint Building; Rock drilling contest.

20 YEARS AGO

Photo caption: Eagle Valley's Vanitro McConnell battles Carson's Olivia Zappin for the ball during seventh grade tournament play.

• Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.